Great emphasis is given to baptism throughout the New Testament. It is mentioned 113 times!

God sent John the Baptist to baptize. John the Baptist baptized all his followers and probably all 12 of the disciples.

John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ and His disciples baptized their followers. Jesus gave the command that baptism was to continue.

After the ascension of Christ, the practice of baptism continued with the Apostles and early churches.

Notice again our definition of baptism.

BAPTISM IS THE BURIAL AND RESURRECTION IN WATER OF A REPENTANT BELIEVER TO PICTURE SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. BAPTISM IS ADMINISTERED BY THE CHURCH.

Our definition answers the following questions.

What is baptism?

Baptism is the burial and resurrection in water.

Who should be baptized?

Only repentant believers should be baptized.

What is the purpose of baptism? Why should I be baptized?

By baptism, the repentant believer publicly confesses his salvation. In baptism he presents a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and declares that by faith in Him he has died to the old life and has been raised to walk in the newness of life.

Baptism publicly identifies you with God's people and places you in the church.

Where should I be baptized?

Only a New Testament church can administer baptism.

YOUR BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT!

Consider the following things:

1. We know that baptism is important because of the great emphasis it receives in the New Testament.

2. ERROR CONCERNING BAPTISM IS CAUSING MORE PEOPLE TO BE DECEIVED ABOUT ETERNAL SALVATION THAN ALL OTHER ERRORS COMBINED.

3. Today's tragic divisions in Christianity began with a departure from the truth concerning baptism.

4. Baptism is the public profession of salvation by the repentant believer. It is the means that God has provided for the redeemed child of God to proclaim his salvation to the world.

5. Our baptism pictures to the world the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

6. OUR BAPTISM IS A PICTURE OF THE GOSPEL. It is one of the ways that God has given to declare the good news of salvation to the world. It is just as important that our baptism pictures the true gospel as it is that we preach a true gospel.

7. Baptism is a picture of our salvation. It publicly confesses to the world that we were a lost, helpless, condemned sinner and that we are saved by the matchless grace of God.

8. Baptism publicly identifies the repentant believer with God's people and places him in the church.

YOUR BAPTISM IS IMPORTANT!

The most important question in all of God's universe is, "‘HAVE YOU BEEN SAVED?"

Second only to that is the question, ‘"HAVE YOU BEEN SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED?"

May God bless you and guide you. (End of Norman Wells' Book "Buried With Him In Baptism").